A group of envoys from CICA member countries visit the Jinan Central Business District on April 16. [Photo/jinannews.cn]

A group of envoys from Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia member countries visited some key business areas in Jinan, including the Jinan Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone and Jinan Central Business District during the 2021 CICA Finance Summit on April 16.

The envoys praised the construction of the Jinan Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub and the Jinan Central Business District and expressed their hope to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with Jinan.

Mahbub Uz Zaman, Bangladeshi ambassador to China, praises Jinan's business environment during the 2021 CICA Finance Summit in Jinan, East China's Shandong province on April 16. [Photo/jinannews.cn]

"As a famous spring water city, Jinan gives me a deep impression," said Mahbub Uz Zaman, Bangladeshi ambassador to China, "I was shocked by the economic development of Jinan. Many international companies, including the world's top 500 companies in our country, have set up branches in Jinan."

Zaman said Bangladesh is an important country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and is looking forward to further cooperation with Jinan.

"I hope to organize a Bangladeshi business delegation to Jinan after the epidemic stabilizes to enhance bilateral cooperation and attract more investment for Bangladesh. I hope this summit will be a good start," he added.

Mohammad Mustafa Jamal, Afghanistan commercial counselor to China, speaks during an interview during the 2021 CICA Finance Summit in Jinan, East China's Shandong province on April 16. [Photo/tianxiaquanchengapp.com]

Mohammad Mustafa Jamal, Afghanistan commercial counselor to China, also said the visit is a good start for further cooperation.

"At the Jinan Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub, I saw products from countries across the world. I hope Afghanistan can further cooperate with Jinan in the fields of trade, finance and business. I will come back to Jinan often in the future," Jamal said.

The Jinan Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub was launched in the Jinan FTZ on Dec 29, 2019, along with a 4,500-square-meter shopping mall. The hub aims to introduce more high-quality products from around the world to Jinan.

A representative of the 2021 CICA Finance Summit examines products at the Jinan Greenland Global Commodity Trading Hub in Jinan Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone on April 16. [Photo provided to english.jinan.gov.cn]